Throwing Barbs; Trash or Treasure?

[tatter]

Are throwing barbs viable at all for pvp these days? I don't think any guide

addresses the creation of a throwing barb past like v 1.09, and things have

changed a bit since then. If you think they are, lend me a few ideas and I

may try one heh, but I feel they kind of suck nowadays.

[lumpor]

For pvp yes I think so

[mainaman]

for pvp no , for pvm maybe fun to play

[GoodOmen]

They are viable pvpwise, especially if you don't mind BM'ing!

example setup:

Eth lacerator (amplify damage!)
Eth warshrike or Gargoyle's Bite (loads of phys dmg)
Helm: Arreat's socketed with IAS/dmg jewel
Armor: Enigma or Fortitude, depending on matchup
gloves: up to you
belt: up to you, probably Dungos or Nos coil
Ammy: Highlord's
rings: raven frost 2x, switch to angelics along with ammy versus melee'ers (fury, conc, zeal)
Have 2x Doom on switch for huge Holy Freeze aura, combine with Leap for massive FHR animation allowing you to chuck pointy objects at them

get max dmg/ar charms with life or fhr, some cold dmg ones wouldn't hurt either.

Thrower barbs have trouble pvp versus Ghostsins and WWbarbs and smiters, but do really well versus sorcs, hammerdins, melee'ers, and even trappers if played right.

[Omikron8]

what kind stat/skill breakdown would you recommend ?

[AlexanderM]

I'm also interested in the best skill breakdown for a thrower barb. I'm making one in single player HC and the build I had planned looks like this:

Shout: 20
Battle Orders: 20
Battle Command: 10+
Throwing Mastery: 20
Iron Skin: 10+
Natural Resist: 5+

Not sure what to do with the rest, double swing/double throw are out as I'm opting for a shield (deeds paranoia, what can I say).

[lumpor]

For me, the base build of a pvm throw barb is this:

20 throwing mastery
20 double swing
20 battle orders
1 in double throw (more points only increases ar), increased speed, nat resistance, berserk, leap attack, taunt (underrated skill), and grim ward (another underrated skill)

If you're using lacerators or glimmershreds, then no berzerk is needed

That's the base build. I'd recommend a frenzy hybrid. Frenzy not only makes double throw faster, but you also have something to do while the quantity is replenishing, and double swing synergizes frenzy too.

Frenzy hybrid:
1 axe mastery (except if using warshrikes)
Max frenzy
Rest of the points in axe mastery (or taunt if you want)

Pure thrower: Rest of the points in double throw (for ar only), then just all kinds of skills like shout, iron skin, nat resist etc


And just to note, all throwing barbs should use razortail.

If anyone wants a whole equipment setup, I can tell you my recommended one too

[GoodOmen]

For PVP throwbarb, i'd say
1 in masteries
20 dbl swing
20 throwing mastery
20 battle orders
10+ in leap (for wider range leap stun)
10+ in double throw (AR is important for hitting hammerdins)
1 in Berserk
rest in Shout or something

Statwise, go minimum str for equipping everything with Fortitude on - Enigma is there for the FRW and tele, not the str. It shouldn't be much.
Dex, you can choose to put some points in it, but really I'd recommend no more than 150 or 200.
Vit is just too good to pass up on Barbarians. 4 hp/vit point, plus Battle Orders, means you should throw all your points here.

Also examine how much IAS you'll need to hit the best breakpoints with your weapon, gloves and belt selection.

And don't bother with razortail for PVP, it's the best for PVM though.

[Ed from Russia]

For PvM, my suggestion would be:
1 D Throw
20 D Swing
20 Thr Mastery
20 BO
10+ War Cry
rest Shout and some 1-pointers

I think the main problem with throwers is the need to repair all the time. The thrower a friend of mine had carried 8 Gimmershreds - 4 equiped and 4 in inventory. I think you can go a lot of directions with the equipment; for pvm it's really not that important.

[lumpor]

I think it's better to be a double swing or frenzy hybrid. Double swing is already maxed, and it synergizes frenzy. You also got 2 weapons. Frenzy will not only make you throw and run faster, but also give you a way to fight when your quantity is getting low

I'd skip war cry (but still have taunt) and get 1 point axe mastery, then max frenzy and rest into axe mastery. Or if you have no ar problems taunt would give you more ed

[Jarath]

For PvM, my suggestion would be:
I think the main problem with throwers is the need to repair all the time

Aye, quoted for truth. My mate made a throw barb recently and he has to return to town at least twice per area that we clear out, it's quite tedious for him.

[lumpor]

Yes, but you can have throwing weapons on switch, and also use frenzy